What is the Difference Between Spirometry and Pulmonary Function Test

Spirometry and pulmonary function tests are two related lung function tests. Lungs make oxygen available to the body and remove other unwanted gases, such as carbon dioxide, from the body. Therefore, the lungs are extremely important for the survival of humans. Both, spirometry and pulmonary function tests, are used to measure lung health and function.

The key difference between spirometry and pulmonary function test is their function. Spirometry measures how much air people breathe out and how fast they can blow air out of their lungs, while pulmonary function test measures lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. 

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Spirometry
3. What is Pulmonary Function Test
4. Similarities – Spirometry and Pulmonary Function Test
5. Spirometry vs Pulmonary Function Test in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Spirometry vs Pulmonary Function Test
7. FAQ – Spirometry and Pulmonary Function Test

What is Spirometry?

Spirometry is a type of lung function test. This test determines how well the lungs work by measuring how much air goes in and out of the lungs when people breathe. Spirometry also tells the healthcare provider how strong the lungs are and how well people breathe. Moreover, spirometry can be used to diagnose diseases like asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Spirometry uses a machine called a spirometer that connects to a computerized machine and measures the airflow. It usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete the test. Furthermore, spirometry is a safe procedure. However, people may feel dizzy, lightheaded, or tired from breathing in and out so deeply.

What is Pulmonary Function Test?

Pulmonary function test (PFT) shows how well the lungs are working. It measures lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. This test can be performed to diagnose diseases like allergies, respiratory infections, trouble breathing from injury to the chest or a recent surgery, asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asbestosis, scoliosis, tumors, inflammation or scarring of the lungs, sarcoidosis, and scleroderma.

Spirometers, airtight boxes, treadmills, or stationary bicycles can be used in pulmonary function tests. Although a pulmonary function test is safe, it may have some risks, such as dizziness during the tests, feeling short of breath, coughing, and asthma attacks brought on by deep inhalation.

Similarities Between Spirometry and Pulmonary Function Test

1. Spirometry and pulmonary function tests are two related lung function tests.
2. Both tests are used to measure lung health and function.
3. Both tests are usually safe procedures.
4. These tests may have some potential risks.

Difference Between Spirometry and Pulmonary Function Test

Definition

1. Spirometry is a test that measures the flow of air through the lungs and estimates the amount of air in the lung.
2. Pulmonary function is a test that measures lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange.

Instruments Used

1. Spirometry uses an instrument called a spirometer.
2. Pulmonary function tests use instruments such as spirometers, airtight boxes, pulse oximeters, treadmills, or stationary bicycles.

Time Taken to Complete

1. Spirometry may take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.
2. A PFT may take between 15 and 45 minutes to complete.

Used to Diagnose

1. Spirometry is used to diagnose conditions like asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis.
2. A pulmonary function test is used to diagnose conditions like allergies, respiratory infections, trouble breathing from injury to the chest or a recent surgery, asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asbestosis, scoliosis, tumors, inflammation or scarring of the lungs, sarcoidosis, and scleroderma.

Potential Risks

1. Spirometry has risks such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or tiredness from breathing in and out so deeply after the procedure.
2. Pulmonary function tests have risks such as dizziness during the tests, shortness of breath, coughing, and asthma attacks brought on by deep inhalation.

The following table summarizes the difference between spirometry and pulmonary function test.

Summary – Spirometry vs Pulmonary Function Test

Lungs make up a large part of the respiratory system. Lung function tests include a variety of tests that check how well the lungs work. Spirometry and pulmonary function test are two related lung function tests. Spirometry is a test used to help monitor lung function by measuring how much air people can breathe out in one forced breath, while a pulmonary function test is a test used to help monitor lung function by measuring lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. This is the main difference between spirometry and pulmonary function test.

FAQ: Spirometry and Pulmonary Function Test

1. What does lung function mean?

• During breathing, oxygen is taken into the lungs, where it passes into the blood and travels to the tissues of the body. Lung function is used to describe how well the lungs work in helping a person breathe.

2. What is a spirometry test used for?

• Spirometry is the most common type of lung function or breathing test. This test measures how much air people can breathe in and out of the lungs and how easily and fast people can blow air out of their lungs.

3. How is spirometry measured?

• Spirometry uses a machine called a spirometer. A spirometer is a medical device that consists of a mouthpiece that connects to a computerized machine that measures the airflow.

4. What does a pulmonary function test detect?

• Pulmonary function test determines how well the lungs work. This test may be done in people who have lung or heart problems and to assess treatment for asthma, emphysema, and other chronic lung problems.

5. What are the three parts of a pulmonary function test?

• The three parts of the pulmonary function test are spirometry (measures how much air goes into and out of the lungs when people breathe), diffusion (measures how well the lungs move air into the blood), and lung volume (measures the amount of air that stays in the lungs).

Reference:

1. “Spirometry: Purpose, Procedure, Risks & Results.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Pulmonary Function Tests.” Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Image Credit:

1. “Asthma Spirometry“ (CC BY-SA 3.0) User:Evgenios Metaxas MD MSc, Pulmonologist Ευγένιος Μεταξάς MD MSc, Πνευμονολόγος via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Naval Hospital Jacksonville Internal Medicine 211014-N-QA097-001” by Navy Medicine (Public Domain) via Public Domain

Related posts:

Difference Between Plasma Donation and Blood Donation Difference Between REM AND NREM Difference Between Innate Immunity and Acquired Immunity Difference Between MCT Oil and Coconut Oil What is the Difference Between Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance